* I'm very happy to have a guest blogger today: Wonderful writer and friend, Margo Dill. *
I met Margo in 2007 when I attended my very first writers conference. It was the (MWG) Missouri Writers Guild Annual Conference and Margo was the chair. Talk about feeling surrounded by a multitude of talented writers! I definitely experienced anxiety and felt very out of place! But Margo made me feel so welcome, from my first (and probably really dumb) question.
And so if you don't know the lovely Margo, you'll be happy to meet her. Take it away, Margo!
Facing Obstacles and Winning: How Finding My Place Became a Book
by Margo Dill
Writing a historical fiction novel for kids is not as easy
as you might think--especially when you have some obstacles like I did. The first
obstacle occurred on September 14, 2011—three days after 9/11. I was supposed
to fly to Baton Rouge to visit my best friend for a few days, rent a car, and
then drive to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where my book is set, to do research.
Needless to say, I did not fly three days after 9/11; but I did rent a car,
against my mother’s best wishes (due to all the rumors of terrorists still
planning attacks), and drove to Vicksburg.
Going to the city where I set my book was the best choice I
made. I left St. Charles, MO planning to write one book; and when I left
Vicksburg a few days later, I had a much better story, along with a deeper
understanding of how the citizens of Vicksburg had to live in caves dug out of
the yellow hills while the Union Army shot at them day and night. I understood
just how close the battlefield was to the town and how the citizens were in-between
the Mississippi River and the battlefield—right in the middle of the line of
fire.
One of the very best resources was COMPLETELY free and easy
to access at the Vicksburg Public Library—the vertical files. I actually found
a copy of an 1863 Vicksburg newspaper printed on the back of wallpaper and read
an account of a mother being killed while fleeing with her children to their
cave. Both of these I worked into my novel.
I wish I could say that I came home, wrote the novel, took
it to critique group, revised it, submitted it, and got a contract. But that is
far from the truth. Obviously if Finding
My Place just came out on October 1, 2012, this process took eleven years!
From 2007 to 2012, I was waiting for the book to be published—White Mane Kids
changed their business model once the economy started to have trouble, and my
book got put on hold.
But from 2001 to 2006, I wrote the novel, rewrote the novel,
took it to one critique group, moved to be closer to my husband, took it to
another critique group, and went to conferences to meet agents and editors. I
won’t go into detail about all of this, but I will tell you I LISTENED to the
rejection feedback I received, and it made all the difference. (Note: You
should always go with your gut on whether or not someone giving a critique is
offering good advice. You don’t have to change your manuscript based on a
critique. But be honest with yourself—do you trust the person? Does he or she
know writing?)
When I sent my manuscript to the agent I shepherded (picked
her up from the airport, introduced her
at her talk) for the 2005 Missouri Writer’s Guild conference and she said I
needed more layers to my story and main character Anna, I wiped my tears, and
my critique group helped me. The manuscript got stronger and better. Then I sent
a query to Emily Easton at Walker Company, and she asked to see the whole
thing!
Then she wrote me the NICEST rejection and said that my
historical fiction book wasn't for the trade marketplace but perfect for the
school and library market. So, I started looking into companies that geared
their books to teachers, saw a submission call from White Mane Kids, and sent a
query.
Believe me, rejections hurt, and I've had my fair share. But
I’m so glad that after I wiped my tears—I listened to these experts. If I wouldn't have, I wouldn't be holding my beautiful book in my hands today.
~~~~~
Margo L. Dill is the author of Finding My Place: One Girl’s Strength at Vicksburg, a historical
fiction middle-grade novel about 13-year-old Anna Green and her struggle to
keep her family together during the Siege of Vicksburg.
** Also, for everyone who leaves a comment here, Margo is offering one of two professional critiques/evaluations. There will be one winner and she/he may choose one of the following:
**Professional critique of the first 5 pages of
any novel, nonfiction work, or short story
OR
**Professional evaluation of a blog or social
media profile with a written summary of what works and suggestions
Welcome to my newest followers Jess*Jessie*Jessy* and Claudia! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!
